Matthew 11
28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
This is one of my favorite scriptures !
If you picture in your mind an oxen yoke you would envision a huge cumbersome wooden beam. At first glance you might think that this would be an extra burden for the oxen to carry this giant heavy beam. In reality the yoke makes it easier for the oxen to pull their load, because it forces the Pair to pull at the same time enabling them to each pull only half the load making their burden lighter.
For most of my life as I have read this scripture I took it to mean that the Savior would be there to help me literally carry my burdens by lifting me spiritually, if I would but yoke myself to him. I am sure that this is one of it’s meanings, but one day while reading this scripture another possible meaning came into my mind.
I thought about physically Yoking myself with my Savior Jesus Christ, in addition to spiritually yoking myself with Him. By doing this I would be doing what the Savior would be doing because by being yoked to Him I would have to go where He goes and do what He does and live like He lived. This scripture suddenly took on a whole new meaning for me. By living my life as my Savior lived His, giving, loving, serving and relying on guidance from Heaven. I would live in a way that would make my burdens light and my life rich and full of all the things that truly bring joy, peace and happiness.
Christmas is a wonderful time to implement this practice in our lives. Even with our current situation needing to keep ourselves, our families and others safe we can still serve. Lifting others with phone calls, letters, uplifting messages on social media, shoveling some ones driveway or bringing in their garbage cans. For those that are able, financial contributions to family members, charities, friends and neighbors. These are only a few examples of ways to serve and still keep safe through social distancing. I am sure you can think of many more that are perfect for your individual situations in life. I hope that this beautiful song lifts you as it has me and helps you know that Heavenly Father is always there and that He does listen to your prayers.
I also hope that you will take advantage of the many other sources offered to yoke yourself with our Savior Jesus Christ as we celebrate his humble birth, his life of service and His atoning sacrifice, lovingly offered for each one of us.
All My Love and Merry Christmas to each of you!
My Own Little Corner 